Unicycle



J, v. RANCIK 2,9,728

UNICYCLE Filed April 5, 1954 Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: To provide an improved unicycle; to provide means whereby the operator can operate the unicycle without the necessity of applying his hand or foot externally of the apparatus; to utilize a relative actuation between two wheels in propelling the apparatus; to employ a brake for bringing the apparatus to a stop; to provide means whereby the apparatus can jump and/or hurdle over objects in the road; to enable the apparatus to be passed over obstacles without requiring the operator to first bring the appaiatus to a stop or remove himself from the apparatus; to attach the various parts making up the mechanism to the inside wheel of the apparatus; to provide means between the two wheels whereby the wheels may have a relative rotation one with respect to the other; and to secure simplicity of construction and operation.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved apparatus, showing the same in operable position, and embodying the featu1es of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of one part of the mechanism utilized;

Figure 3 is a sectional view shown as taken on line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the revolving means, shown as taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an elevation partly in section showing the handle bars as clamped to one wheel, said elevation and section shown as taken on line G-6 of Figure 1; and

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the seat post as clamped to the one wheel, the section shown as taken on line 'i-l of Figure 1.

As seen in the drawing the reference numeral Ill indicates an outer hoop or wheel which in cross-section is preferably round, the central portion being hollow so as to insure easy riding and lightness in weight whereby the apparatus may be easily carried when not in use. Around the outer edge of said hoop or wheel lil, I have provided a rubber casing il and extending over the entire periphery thereof. This rubbe:r casing may be cemented to the wheel if preferred, though I do not wish to restrict myself to the'specific structure. Concentrically within the wheel lil I have provided a second wheel i2 which in diameter is slightly smaller so as to allow for a clearance between the outer edge thereof and the inner edge of the outer wheel H1. In construction the said inner wheel likewise is ring-shaped as well as having a hollowed core or tubular crosssection.

For securing the wheels lil and i2 together in working relationship with respect to each other, there is provided a plurality of rollers 13. In the 5 particular showing of the accompanying drawing, said rollers l3 are pre ferably spool-shape in construction and curved inwardly from their outer edges to fit within the curvature of the inner periphery of the outer wheel IO. Said rollers i3 10 are secured by suitable means to the inner wheel l l2, such means being here illustrated as in the form of clamps M, one part of which encircles the inner wheel 12 and is tightly clamped together thereto by a bolt I5 and nut IB, as seen in Figure 15 4. To insure freedom of movement, the roller l3 is mounted on said clamp M by a pin or axle il passing through the middle thereof and extending from one side of the Clamp o the other side. Said axle being held against displacement by 20 means of lock nuts l8 on the outer sides of the clamp. A roller bearing l9 likewise houses the pin or axle ll and is provided with a ball race 2] whereby when the apparatus is in use, even rolling will take place. In the present showing three 25 such rollers are provided, though more may be employed, depending on the size of the wheels.

Means are provided for the operator to hold onto when the apparatus is in use, said means also conveniently constituting a balancing medi- 3 um. Such means may be in the form of handlebars 21, attached to the inner wheel i2 by use of a .clarnp I4 similar to the clamps M for the rollers 13.

A seat 22 suitably spaced radially inward of 35 the inner wheel 12 and substantially diametrically opposed to the handle bars is provided whereby the operator may conveniently and comfortably operate the apparatus. Said seat is secured at its inner end to a rod 23 of preferably tubular 40 construction, said rod at its other or outer end being attached to the inner wheel 2 by being clamped thereto, as at 24 as shown in Figure 7. The construction of said clamping means may for convenience be the same as heretofore de- 45,

ward and doWnward direction. The forward end 55 of said foot rest 26 is provided with means for effecting engagement with the outer wheel lll. The means shown comprises a U-shaped member 29, the upper ends of the arms of which are pivoted to the forward end of the treadle, and the cross-connecting portion of which passes freely between the two wheels. This cross-connecting portion is likewise preferably concave outward so as to provide a fitting and frictional engagement with the inner circumference of the outer wheel when desired. Depression of the outer end of the treadle therefore causes both wheels to roll together.

In operation the user before seating himself within the apparatus places his left foot on the foot rest 25 and withhis other foot gives a slight shove forward whereby the outer wheel revolves. When momentum has been obtained the operator then leaps onto the seat 22, places his right foot on the foot rest treadle 25, then moves his body in a forward motion and at the same time applies pressure on the foot rest treadle 2|i, that is to say the toe portion of the foot presses down on the forward part of said foot rest thereby causing the U-shaped member 29 to engage with the revolving wheel |0. The operator also swings his body forward during this clutch-engaging period, causing both wheels to rotate together through a short distance, after which he releases the clutch pressure and rocks his body rearwardly, during which time the wheels are rotating in opposite directions, the outer one continuing the forward rotation at all times. The forward and backward movement of the operators body permits propelling and added speed to the apparatus.

Should the operator desire to retard forward movement of the apparatus or stop it, he straightens his body which then engages with a member 30. In pressing against this member, the said member is adapted frictionally to hold the inner wheel |2 in contact with the outer wheel |0 thereby preventing relative rotation between the two wheels.

An added feature of the present invention is that when the apparatus is in motion it may be caused to hurdle over holes or objects in the road, thereby giving added thrills to the user. An example of a m'eans by which hurdling is accomplished, may conveniently comprise a lever 3| pvoted to one of the handle bars 2|, preferably the right handle bar. This lever is permitted to slide in an upwardly and downwardly direction on the inner periphery of the wheel |2, it being prevented from becoming disconnected from the wheel by the handle bar clamp, and a lug 32 adjacent the U-shaped member 29. This lever is forked at its lower end and terminates into a knob-like shape 3| and approximated at the pivotal point of the foot rest treadle 26 where it contacts a swinging member 33.

The clamping member for the foot rest 26 on one side is provided With a protruding member or shelf 34 (see Figures 2 and 3) and it is on this member that the swinging member 33 rests. The axle on which the rollers |3 and |3' is mounted and on which said roller revolves, in this instance is provided with extendible ends 35. The outer ends of this axle are provided with cushioning means such as solid rubber heads 36. The swing- .ing member 33 is pivotally secured to the extendible end 35 approximately midway between the outer end and the roller. When the operator wishes to hurdle, he presses on the lever 3| with his right hand which then causes the knob 3| on the forked end to push forward against a portion of the swnging member 33 resting on the protruding member or shelf 34. The extendible ends 35 then drop at a rate of speed the roller |3 is travelling and as it strikes the surface, the apparatus leaps off the ground. It is to be noted 5 that the roller |3' in this instance is provided with a plurality of teeth 3'|, preferably three in number and spaced equally apart, so that as the hurdling member 35 is dropped through operation of the lever 3|, the swinging member 33 is 10 carried by one of the teeth, and as the roller makes one complete revolution, it carrie with it the hurdling member.

To return the swinging member 33 to the shelf 34, I have shown another protruding member 38 15 similarly struck out from the clamp, and as the 'one end of the swinging member reaches the outer edge of said protruding member 38, it is released from the tooth on which it is being carried and then slid onto the shelf 34 until the lever 3| is 20 again operated to release it.

Obviously detail changes and modifications may be made in the construction carrying out my invention, and I do not wish to be limited thereto except as set forth in the following claims. 5

I claim:

l. An apparatus as characterized comprising a pair of circular rotatable spokeless wheels one within the other, a plurality of rollers attached to the inner wheel and adapted to engage the in- 30 ner periphery of the outer wheel, a foot treadle pivoted to the inner wheel, and a clutch pivotally mounted to said foot treadle whereby downward movement of said treadle will cause said clutch to engage the outer wheel for giving a pushing 35 moment to the same in operation.

2. An apparatus as characterized eomprising a pair of circular rotatable spokeless wheels one within the other, a plurality of rollers attached to the inner wheel and adapted to engage the in- 40 forward direction his foot pressing downwardly 5 on the treadle for transmitting a pushing movement to said outer wheel whereby said outer wheel will rotate forwardly, and a foot rest attached to the inner wheel substantially beneath the seat whereby the other foot of the operator can rest 55 1 while the apparatus is in motion. 7

3. An apparatus as characterized comprising a pair of circular rotatable spokeless wheels one within the other, a plurality of rollers attached to the inner wheel and adapted to engage the in- 60 v ner periphery of the outer wheel, a seat radially spaced inward of the said inner wheel, a pair of handle bars projecting inwardly of the inner wheel whereby an operator can seat himself on the seat and grasp said handle bars, a foot treadle pivot- 55 ed to said inner wheel, a clutch pivotally mounted to the forward part-of the said treadle adapted to engage the inner periphery of the outer wheel as the operator swings his body in a forward direction his foot pressing downwardly on the 70 treadle for transmitting a pushing movement to said outer wheel whereby said outer wheel will rotate forwardly, and a foot rest attached to,the inner wheel substantially beneath the seat whereby the other foot of the operator can rest while 75 i the apparatus is in motion, and means for engaging the ground for causmg the apparatus to hurdle while said apparatus is in motion.

4. An apparatus as characterized comprising a pair of circular rotatable spokeless wheels one within the other, a plurality of rollers attached to the inner wheel and adapted to engage the inner periphery of the outer Wheel, a Seat radially spaced inward of the said inner wheel, a pair of handle bars projecting inwardly of the inner wheel whereby an operator can seat himself on the seat and grasp said handle bars, a foot, treadle pivoted to said inner wheel, a clutch pivotally mounted to the forward part of the said treadle adapted to engage the inner periphery of the outer wheel as the operator swings his body in a forward direction his foot pressing downwardly on the treadle for transmitting a pushing movement to said outer wheel whereby said outer wheel will rotate forwardly, and a foot rest attached to the inner wheel substantially beneath the seat whereby the other foot of the operator can rest while the apparatus is in motion, and means operable from said handle bars for engaging the ground for causing the apparatus to hurdle while said apparatus is in motion.

5. An apparatus as characterized comprising a pair of circular rotatable spokeless wheels one within the other, a plurality of rollers attached to the inner wheel and adapted to engage the inner periphery of the outer wheel, a seat radially spaced inward of the said inner wheel, a pair of handle bars projectng inwardly of the inner 5 wheel whereby an operator can seat himself on the seat and grasp said handle bars, a foot treadle pivoted to said inner wheel, a clutch pvotally mounted to the forward part of the said treadle adapted to engage the inner periphery of the outer wheel as the operator swings his body in a forward direction his foot pressing downwardly on the treadle for transmittng a pushing movement to said outer wheel whereby said outer wheel will rotate forwardly, and a foot rest attached to the inner wheel substantially beneath the seat whereby the other foot of the operator can rest while the apparatus is in motion, a lever on one of said handle bars, said lever extending down wardly along the inner periphery of the inner wheel to approximately beneath the said treadle, and means extending from one of said rollers whereby the lever in operation engages with said means to release the same therefrom and adapted to cause the apparatus to hurdle as said means comes in contact with the ground,

JOHN V. RAN CK. 

